Abstract:

This creative project develops a master plan for cultural/art corridors leading
into the Albuquerque Biological Park and designs a site-specific community/
social landmark, with precedent studies and schematic sections. Evolved from
these scattered pieces of municipal projects over time, the 120-acre BioPark
includes the Aquatic Park (2.5 acres,1995), Rio Grande Botanical Gardens (16
(63 acres-1927). These facilities have become a citywide community presence
for all Albuquerque residents, but much progress remains to be made in this
economically and culturally divided city. Since losing the Alvarado Hotel in the
1970s, Albuquerque's citizens have not had a "Lynchian" landmark to identify with
that also strikes a balance between community needs and tourism profi t margins.
To address these challenges, this project seeks to answer two questions:
1. How can Lynchian design principles help fi ll a cultural void in Albuquerque's
urban fabric?
2. How can landmarks enhance existing cultural corridors (Route 66, Rio Grande
River, Mountain Rd,, Rio Grande Blvd., 2nd St., and El Camino Real)?